Here, proof that these small relatives of the mongoose have supernatural cheer-up qualities.

By Amy Shearn

Cats are cute. Sloths are super cute. But on those really dark days, those bluer-than-blue days, when your boss sends you off with a "Do it over," someone lets the door slam in your face in the exact moment that your paper shopping bag disintegrates and then even your cheer-up hot cocoa explodes in the microwave, you need something more. You need meerkats.